Evidence supporting the use of: Uva Ursi
For the body system: Bladder

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), also known as bearberry, has a long history of traditional use for supporting bladder and urinary tract health. Historically, Native American and European herbalists used uva ursi leaves as a remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other bladder concerns. The key active compound, arbutin, is converted in the body to hydroquinone, which has antimicrobial effects when excreted in urine, potentially inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.

While several small clinical studies from the 20th century and limited more recent research suggest that uva ursi may have some efficacy in preventing or reducing the severity of uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the overall quality of the evidence is moderate at best. Most modern clinical guidelines do not recommend uva ursi as a first-line treatment due to insufficient large-scale trials and concerns about possible toxicity with prolonged use. However, the longstanding traditional use and some in vitro and animal studies support the rationale for its use in bladder support formulas.

In summary, uva ursi is primarily justified by traditional use, with some scientific rationale but limited high-quality clinical validation. Caution is advised regarding dosage and duration, as hydroquinone can be toxic in high amounts or with long-term use.

More about Uva Ursi
More about Bladder

Other body systems supported by Uva Ursi

Bladder
Kidneys
Urinary System

Products containing Uva Ursi

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.